OK so I got this tiny (less than 75 gallon) artificial pond in my yard I want to put some goldfish in it but I'm told by the pet strore people that it is illegal to put goldfish in a outdoor pond.
So what is the deal here, I just spent an hour reading about the laws regarding pets in Maine and can't find anything about goldfish in outdoor ponds.
Is it illegal? and if so what kind of fish can I put in there?

bill_________________"No good deed goes unpunished", Howie Carr

Sat 16 Jun, 2007 8:37 pm

RoadratFrom Away

Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 81
Location: Lewiston

I know about Koi, but I'm talking about regular goldfish they sell goldfish at pet stores here in maine but I was told that they can not be placed in an outside enviroment like a pond or fish tank outside.
you can't buy Koi here in Maine at all.

bill_________________"No good deed goes unpunished", Howie Carr

Sun 17 Jun, 2007 4:47 am

wandererOfficial Mainah

Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 1747

Just do it. Who's going to bust you?_________________She put a hole through my kevlar soul

Hardly applies to what basically amounts to a backyard aquarium though does it? Now dumping goldfish into an existing ecosystem, I could understand the problem with that._________________She put a hole through my kevlar soul

Wed 20 Jun, 2007 8:25 am

Chub FishermanOfficial Pissant

Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Location: Hancock County

I have two different ponds that I released Gold fish into. They cross bred with the chubs that also are in the pond so now they're brown and orange fish in the pond.
As for illegal, probably. However, not until you get caught.

If there is know way for the goldfish to get into regular water supply and fully enclosed, dont worry about it._________________FEAR Fear!

Wed 20 Jun, 2007 3:03 pm

Chub FishermanOfficial Pissant

Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Location: Hancock County

By the way, there's huge goldfish that have interbred with carp in Lake Michigan. I went out there as a boy and caught them with cheese balls. Great fun.......... but note they will live in cold environments and are a danger to getting into our streams and lakes._________________FEAR Fear!

Wed 20 Jun, 2007 3:06 pm

Butch MooreWanna-be Mainah

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 26
Location: Occupied Salmon Territories

quote: If there is know way for the goldfish to get into regular water supply and fully enclosed, dont worry about it.

I agree with you that in this case it shouldn't be an issue, but the law is unfortunately the law. Private ponds aren't even allowed to have brown and rainbow trout in them here in the Occupied Salmon Territories:

I still have not seen the written law that says you cannot have plain old goldfish in a artificial outdoor garden pond.
does this law exist or not and if so were can I go to read it?

p.s. thanks for all your replies.

bill_________________"No good deed goes unpunished", Howie Carr

Thu 21 Jun, 2007 5:34 pm

Chub FishermanOfficial Pissant

Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Location: Hancock County

As I 've been thinking about it I know of multiple summer homes that have Goldfish in little ponds on their properties in the MDI Area. Enforcement of the law is lacks at best. If there is a complaint I'm sure they would follow up on it yet aside from that, who's checking? The wardens are too busy_________________FEAR Fear!

Mon 25 Jun, 2007 2:59 pm

RoadratFrom Away

Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 81
Location: Lewiston

I put my 3 fish in the pond yesterday, I've got to believe that it is better to have fish in there than mosquito larva.

thanks all.

PS if anyone can find this law somewere I would love to read it.

bill_________________"No good deed goes unpunished", Howie Carr

Mon 25 Jun, 2007 5:48 pm

Chub FishermanOfficial Pissant

Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Location: Hancock County

Ha haaa we fooled you. We're calling the police right now! Perhaps you should go on the lamb.....however, we catch you someday, you scofflaw!_________________FEAR Fear!

Tue 26 Jun, 2007 5:42 am

RoadratFrom Away

Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 81
Location: Lewiston

quote:Originally posted by Chub Fisherman: Ha haaa we fooled you. We're calling the police right now! Perhaps you should go on the lamb.....however, we catch you someday, you scofflaw!

LOL

I feel like Ray Liotta in "good fellows", with the helicopter following me around all day, and that white van has been parked down the street a long time now, What gives?

I think I will print up some bumper stickers that read "They can have my goldfish when they pry them from my cold dead hand!"

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